OUR man in Rome Marco Di Cosmo (Scioltz) has been in outstanding form recently. Can he continue his winning streak on Sunday?
Cesena v Palermo | Sunday 11.30 | ESPN
Cesena have stepped up incredibly at home in recent weeks. They’ve beaten Udinese, Lazio and even held table-toppers Juventus.
The hosts are desperate to avoid relegation and I don’t think they will. But at least they will fight until the last game with their home form absolutely paramount to their chances of survival.
Palermo have the third best home record in the whole of Serie A, but at the same time they are the third worst team on their travels having collected just eight points from a possible 36.
For this reason I think the bookies are really underrating the home team’s chances and I am happy to back Cesena double chance at 8/13 with William Hill.
Chievo v Roma | Sunday 14.00 | ESPN
I think it is finally time to side with AS Roma. After a month in which it paid to oppose the capital club, mainly at home, they’re an attractive 20/23 to win with BetVictor.
Chievo away is one of the easier away Serie A trips. Few home supporters and a flat atmosphere will be a breath of fresh air away from the expectation in Rome and you can fully expect the visitors fans to travel in numbers to support their side. It should give Roma the confidence they need.
Roma have a very good away record and they welcome back Juan Iturbe and a number of important players as they continue to rotate the team seeing as they’re juggling Serie A and Europa League commitments.
Only Cagliari and Parma have a worse record than Chievo at home, and it is incredible to see that they only have netted 10 goals in 12 games. I am quite sure Rome can handle the home attack and secure three vital points.
Parma v Atalanta | Sunday 14.00
I’ve talked previously about the sad story of Parma.. The club has been ‘forced’ to remain in Serie A despite being technically bankrupt. It’s a bit of a farce and could heap further embarrassment on the club.
I don’t know how will they play, I don’t know who will play either. How will players like the Uruguayan international Christian Rodriguez, who won almost everything with Atletico Madrid, or Silvestre Varela, a Portugal International, approach the game knowing it almost counts for nothing and they haven’t been paid in months? Parma are almost certainly relegated and probably won’t exist next season.
On the other hand, Atalanta are fighting for survival. I totally disagreed with their decision to fire Stefano Colantuono, and there’s belief that the players still wanted him, despite what the presidency decided.
But Parma are so fragile these days and Atalanta’s motivation should be enough to collect three points and impress new coach Edi Reja.
Best Bets
Cesena v Palermo – Cesena double chance (8/13 William Hill)
Chievo v Roma – Roma to win (20/23 BetVictor)
Parma v Atlanta – Atalanta to win (5/4 BetVictor)
